Inflatable Collecting Container

ABSTRACT

A collecting container ( 1 ) for the collection and removal of fluids from accidental spillage, for example oil, chemicals, or other hazardous waste, where the walls of the container ( 2 ) are inflatable and consequently form a contained area for the collection of the above stated possible spillage. The container is, if required, equipped with, and connected to, an inner, chemical resistant, container ( 12 ) that shares its drain, ( 14 ) and ( 14.2 ), with the outer collecting container. The collecting container is equipped with carrying handles ( 8 ) and lifting loops ( 9 ) for the lifting and transportation of the collected spillage. The collecting container is foldable and easily stored in, for example, the driver&#39;s cab of a heavy commercial vehicle. The container is thereby quickly available in the case of an emergency situation.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention presented relates to an inflatable, portable, flexible,foldable collecting container for the collecting of wasted oil andchemicals, in the event of accidental spillage or leakage from heavyindustrial machines. The container is equipped with an inner, chemicalresistant container. The two containers are connected by a common drainconnection in the lower part and by a band in the upper part. Thecontainer is also equipped with handles for carrying and loops forlifting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Earlier know equipment for taking care of waste oil and spillage ofchemicals is primarily focused on so called absorbents and simplecollecting receptacles.

An inflatable container for the collecting of waste oil is described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,099,872. This particular device consists of aninflatable container equipped with a draining and emptying device forthe disposal of the collected chemicals.

This known device suffers from, amongst other things, the followingdrawbacks:

-   -   It is almost impossible to transfer the chemicals collected in        the collecting container to a separate container if the ground        has a sloping angle.    -   It is almost impossible to move or lift the container because        handles for carrying and loops for lifting are missing.    -   Lack of filter etc., thus making it impossible to recycle the        chemicals collected    -   Lack of the option for collecting hot, alternately aggressive        and corrosive chemicals

U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,018 shows another earlier known inflatablecontainer. The device comprises a gas cylinder filled with compressedgas that is supposed to expand and thereby inflate the container. Also,this known device suffers from, amongst other things, the followingdrawbacks:

-   -   It is almost impossible to transfer the chemicals collected in        the collecting container to a separate container if the ground        has a sloping angle.    -   It is almost impossible to move or lift the container because        handles for carrying and loops for lifting are missing.    -   Lack of filter etc., thus making it impossible to recycle the        chemicals collected    -   Lack of the option for collecting hot, alternately aggressive        and corrosive chemicals

U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,427 shows another earlier known inflatablecontainer. The device is meant to be rapidly inflatable in the case of aspillage of chemicals. This, earlier known device, comprises avalve/coupling for the purpose of connecting it to the pneumatic airsystem of the vehicle, thereby using the vehicles own compressed air toinflate the device. This known device also suffers from, amongst otherthings, the following drawbacks:

-   -   The device can only be used on vehicles that have a pneumatic        air system    -   It is almost impossible to transfer the chemicals collected in        the collecting container to a separate container if the ground        has a sloping angle.    -   It is almost impossible to move or lift the container because        handles for carrying and loops for lifting are missing.    -   Lack of filter etc., thus making it impossible to recycle the        chemicals collected    -   Lack of the option for collecting hot, alternately aggressive        and corrosive chemicals

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the invention is to solve above named problems and tofacilitate the transportation of collected waste and recycling ofchemicals.

The main objective of the invention presented is therefore to solve theabove stated problems and to present a simple and effective system forthe collecting of oil and chemicals. In addition the invention can bemade suitable for the collecting and/or recycling of oil from thebreakdown of heavy industrial machinery.

Another objective of the invention is to create a device that isportable, reusable, and has a low weight in relation to its volume.

These objectives are achieved by the collecting container (1) inventionpresented here. The invention comprises an outer bag/frame that isdesigned to form a containment area by means of inflatable sections (2),and a drain valve to remove/drain the oil or chemicals from the outer orinner container.

The collecting container, presented here, is characterized by beingequipped with gadgets for raising and lowering the air pressure in thestated limited space formed by the sectional walls of the outercontainer, so that a rigid collecting container can quickly be made.When filled, the air in the sectional walls can be released, allowingthe container, when lifted, to form itself to the natural shape of apear drop, thereby allowing the forces induced by the weight of thecollected chemicals, to be evenly distributed to the lifting loops ofthe container. If there is a need for simplified cleaning of thecontainer, or if the temperature of the fluids collected is high, or ifthe chemicals collected are aggressive and corrosive, then an innerbag/container, made of suitable material, can be fitted inside andconnected to the draining valve at the bottom of the outer container andto the strings or bands or zipper at the top of the outer container.

The purpose of the exhaust valve is to allow the air that was used toinflate the wall sections of the collecting container to be released,making the container, when lifted, form itself to the natural state of apear drop, thereby allowing the forces induced by the weight of thecollected chemicals to be evenly distributed to the lifting loops of thecontainer. This will make it possible to allow all collected fluid to bedrained from the container via the drain valve located at the bottom ofthe container.

The invention presented here is aimed at, for example, being part of theprocedure for the collecting of waste oil, or similar waste fluids, fromheavy construction equipment, gaff trucks, trucks, forestry machinesetc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the collapsed and folded view of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows an overhead view of the invention when activated/inflated.

FIG. 3 is a view taken on the cross section 1-1 (see FIG. 2) that showsthe additional internal, flexible container of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a view taken on the cross section 1-1 showing the inventionwithout the additional internal container but with an additional filterat the drain valve.

FIG. 5 shows the invention folded and tied.

FIG. 6 shows the invention when lifted.

FIGS. 7, 8 & 9 show different versions of the invention.

FIG. 10 the cross section 2-2 (see FIG. 2) shows the container's drainvalve.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the section (2-2) showing the connectingof the inner and outer containers' drain valves.

FIGS. 12 & 13 is a cross section of how the drain valve(s) are connectedto the filter

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates how the collecting container (1) is folded togetherand how its pressurized gas cylinder (4) is connected to its releasehandle (5). Storage space requirement is minimal. The invention can, forexample, be stored in the driver's cab by the side of the driver's chairor beneath.

FIG. 2 shows a view from above of the inflated collecting container. Thewalls of the container (2) are inflated by means of a valve (3) thatoccurs when the gas cylinder (4) has been activated by the releasehandle (5). FIG. 2 also shows the exhaust valve (6) that is to be usedfor emptying the inflatable sectional wall (2) when lifting andtransporting the collecting container. The container is equipped withlifting loops (9) for lifting and transportation. The drain valve (14)is covered with, for example, a partially glued covering sheet/membranemade of the same or similar material as the rest of the container. Whendraining the collecting container, the covering sheet/membrane is liftedby means of the string and handle (16) thereby opening the valve.

FIG. 3 shows the cross section 1-1 (see FIG. 2) and also shows theoptional additional inner container (12) that can be added, forinstance, for the collection of hot or corrosive chemicals. Thecollecting container (1) is shown with two inflatable wall sections (2)that are connected to each other by an air channel (7).

The wall sections (2) are connected by way of at least one valve (3) tothe pressurized gas cylinder (4) that can be activated with the releasehandle (5). The wall sections (2) can, when lifting of the container isrequired, be emptied from air via one or more exhaust valves (6).

The collecting container (1) is at the top equipped with a flexiblesealing fillet (10) made of a very flexible material, for example, somekind of sponge rubber or some kind of elastic polymer, and a string/band(11) to tie the container before it is transported away. The innercontainer, used for special purposes and needs (12), is tied at the topwith its string/band (13) and string/band (11). The inner container isconnected at the bottom via valve (14.2) (see FIG. 10) to valve (14).When connected in this manner, device 16 will open the drain valve (14)and (14.2).

FIG. 4 shows the cross section 1-1 (see FIG. 2) of a single collectingcontainer, without the additional inner container, and a filter (14.6).The cross section of the filter 3-3 is shown in greater detail in FIG.12.

FIG. 5 shows a collecting container (1) tied with a string/band (11)just before it is about to be lifted and transported away.

FIG. 6 shows the collecting container having been lifted by the liftingloops (9) and the air in wall sections 2 having been evacuated via theexhaust valve (6).

FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 show various designs of the collectingcontainer, namely that the collecting container can have optionalnumbers of wall sections such as one, two or multiple sections as anoptional configuration. In other words, the collecting container can bemade round, square, rectangular and so forth, and continue to achievethe stated task.

FIG. 10 shows the cross section 2-2 (see FIG. 2) of the drain valve(14). The drain valve (14) is preferably a circular ring welded to thebottom of the collecting container 1 by means of a supporting ring(14.0). The flexible lid (15) is welded to one side of ring (14.0). Toseal the rest of the contact surface between the flexible lid (15) andthe rings (14) and (14.0), it is possible to use, for instance, glue ordouble adhesive tape. This creates a fluid/chemical tight design thatcan easily be opened with the help of a string and the release handle(16). In order to protect the drain valve while sliding the connectingcontainer, for instance, on the ground over dirt, gravel or other roughand uneven surfaces, the valve (14) has been fitted with an easilyremovable lid/cover (17) which is attached to the valve (14) with anO-ring (14.1). The lid/cover (17) is equipped with a string/band (19) toallow a rapid and easy opening of the drain valve (14).

FIG. 11 shows the cross section 2-2 from FIG. 2 of the drain valve (14)connected to the drain valve (14.2) that forms the lowest part of theadditional inner container (12). As shown in FIG. 11, the innercontainer (12) must be equipped with a drain valve (14.2) of its own andthat will fit to the drain valve (14) and that is easily connected tothe collecting container (1) by means of the flexible O-ring (14.1). Thedrain valve (14.2) is equipped with a lid (17) of its own and a flexiblelid/cover of its own and is connected with a string and release handle(16).

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show cross section 3-3 (see FIG. 4) where it isschematically visible that different filters (14.6) can be connected tothe drain valve (14) alternatively (14.2) by means of the flexible ring(14.1) alternatively the ring (14.4). The filter (14.6) is equipped withthe same type of flexible draining lid (15), glued to the inlet of thefilter and tied to the release handle (16) by means of a string.

The flexible lid (15) of the collecting container (1), alternatively ofthe collecting container (12), is folded away so that filteringequipment (14.6) can be applied on the drain valve (14) alternatively(14.2) with its compensating ring (14.5). The compensating ring is asimple distance ring made of suitable material such as polyurethane oranother material with both surfaces glued with double adhesive tape orglue and which has the purpose of evening out differences in levelsbetween different connecting devices where the flexible lid (15) isfolded away to the side of the drain valve.

The collecting container (1) will preferably be made of laminatepolyurethane and woven fabric or a similar material. The inner container(12) can be made, for example, of a thin material such as Teflon or asimilar material that is resistant to aggressive and corrosivechemicals. Both collecting containers can easily be rinsed with suitablecleaning solutions and used again.

With adequate dimensions and proper design of the collecting container,immediate action can be taken when an accidental spillage occurs. Withone hand the operator holds the pressurized gas cylinder (4) that isfirmly connected to the folded collecting container (1), and with theother hand the operator pulls the release handle (5). The result is thatthe sectional walls of the collecting container (2) will inflate and thecollecting container will be ready to be placed beneath the leakingobject. With the help of the 2 or more handles (8), which are bandswelded to the circumference of the collecting container 1, the nowfilled collecting container can be moved sideways to a more suitableposition for lifting and transportation away.

It is to be understood that the description of the invention given inthis document and the drawings that are attached to it, have the solepurpose of visualizing the invention, and that the device can bemodified and altered so it will divert from what earlier has beendescribed in this document. As an example, the frame of the device canbe square, rectangular, or can be manufactured to any elective form,size or volume. The shape of the collecting container is adapted to theneeds of present situations, allowing the invention to be used for manypurposes. The principal function of the device can also be applied as anauxiliary device to improve earlier known techniques, such as when thelower part of the container is connected to a filter, the container isused as a device for filtering.

In consequence, it will be obvious to those with knowledge of thesubject, that the invention may be modified and altered and thereby bedifferent from the particulars of the invention that are shown in theattached drawings. Therefore, the protection afforded to this inventionshould only be limited in accordance with the scope of the followingclaims.

1.-10. (canceled)
 11. An inflatable collecting container, the containercomprising: at least one inflatable frame forming a fluid-containingspace as a first container, wherein the container includes a bottom wallattached to a bottom portion of the at least one inflatable frame and anouter wall extending upwardly from an upper portion of the at least oneinflatable frame; at least one inflation valve secured to an area of theat least one inflatable frame for inflation of the at least oneinflatable frame; at least one exhaust valve secured to an area of theat least one inflatable frame for deflation of the at least oneinflatable frame; a drain valve connected to a portion of the bottomwall for draining fluids contained within the fluid-containing space ofthe first container; a first detachable lid covering a first end of thedrain valve; a sealing fillet attached to an upper portion of the outerwall, wherein the sealing fillet includes a sealing member for thesealing fillet; and at least one lifting member for lifting andtransporting the first container.
 12. The container of claim 11 furthercomprising a second container connected to and located within the firstcontainer, wherein the second container includes a bottom wall and anupper wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall.
 13. The container ofclaim 12, wherein the second container further comprises a second drainvalve connected to a portion of the bottom wall of the second container,wherein the second drain valve is connected to the first drain valve ofthe first container.
 14. The container of claim 12, wherein the secondcontainer is connected to the sealing fillet of the first container. 15.The container of claim 11, wherein the lifting member is selected fromthe group consisting of lifting loops and handles.
 16. The container ofclaim 11, wherein the first container is comprised of an elasticpolymer.
 17. The container of claim 16, wherein the elastic polymer is apolyurethane laminate.
 18. The container of claim 12, wherein the secondcontainer is comprised of a chemically resistant polymer.
 19. Thecontainer of claim 18, wherein the chemically resistant polymer is afluoropolymer.
 20. The container of claim 11, wherein the firstcontainer further comprises a filter connected to the drain valve. 21.The container of claim 11 further comprising a line attached to thefirst detachable lid, wherein actuation of the line removes the firstdetachable lid from the first end of the drain valve.
 22. The containerof claim 11 further comprising a second detachable lid covering a secondend of the drain valve.
 23. The container of claim 22 further comprisinga line attached to the second detachable lid, wherein actuation of theline attached to the second detachable lid removes the second detachablelid from the second end of the drain valve.
 24. An inflatable collectingcontainer, the container comprising: a plurality of inflatable framesforming a fluid-containing space as a first container, wherein thecontainer includes a bottom wall attached to a bottom portion of a firstinflatable frame and an outer wall extending upwardly from an upperportion of a second inflatable frame; at least one inflation valvesecured to an area of the at least one of the inflatable frames forinflation of the at least one inflatable frame; at least one exhaustvalve secured to an area of the at least one of the inflatable framesfor deflation of the at least one inflatable frame; a drain valveconnected to a portion of the bottom wall for draining fluids containedwithin the fluid-containing space of the first container; a firstdetachable lid covering a first end of the drain valve; a sealing filletattached to an upper portion of the outer wall, wherein the sealingfillet includes a sealing member for the sealing fillet; and at leastone lifting member for lifting and transporting the first container. 25.The container of claim 24, wherein air channels interconnect theinflatable frames of the first container.
 26. The container of claim 24further comprising a second container connected to and located withinthe first container, wherein the second container includes a bottom walland an upper wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall.
 27. Thecontainer of claim 25, wherein the second container further comprises asecond drain valve connected to a portion of the bottom wall of thesecond container, wherein the second drain valve is connected to thefirst drain valve of the first container.
 28. The container of claim 24,wherein the second container is connected to the sealing fillet of thefirst container.
 29. The container of claim 23, wherein the liftingmember is selected from the group consisting of lifting loops andhandles.
 30. The container of claim 24 further comprising a lineattached to the detachable lid, wherein actuation of the line removesthe detachable lid from the drain valve.